Restaurants

Monza of Historic Manassas will be collecting gently used coats to donate to SERVE of Manassas, Va. in exchange for a $25 Monza or Carmello’s gift card and free hot chocolate and coffee on Fridays and Saturdays in January at Monza at 9405 Battle Street in Old Town Manassas, Va. For more information, go to www.eatmonza.com.

“Winter is here, and we’re all pulling out our warm coats, many of us have more than one, while the neediest of our community go without a proper coat for the coldest of days,” said Alice Pires, owner of Carmellos and Monza in Historic Manassas, Va. “Help us support SERVE by dropping off a coat, and warm up with a free hot cocoa and gift card,” said Pires.

Riderwood retirement community in Silver Spring, MD, is sharing the recipe to its award-winning Crab Soup that will be served January 20 at a President Obama Inaugural Gala hosted by the Delaware, Maryland and New York State Societies of Washington, D.C. The Gala will be held at 7 p.m. at The Fairmont Hotel in Washington, D.C. The more than 300 invited guests will include elected officials, friends of the states, and guests from all corners of the globe. Riderwood chefs will serve the soup to attendees.

The Presidential inauguration is just around the corner. Millions of people will be scrambling to see the President, the historical sites, and the food. Food plays a big role in any high-profile event, including the Presidential inauguration. As a result, many local restaurants will be making their Presidential picks for a feast fitting of the highest office in the land.

“Picking the Presidential meal is a fun and challenging task that we look forward to,” explains Ryan Fichter, Executive Chef of Thunder Burger. “In our pick, we wanted to incorporate a little of the President’s Hawaiian roots. We think this is a meal that the First Family would enjoy, as well as those looking for an authentic inauguration meal.”

January is known as National Meat Month. It’s a great time to pause and take a look at just how much America loves its meat, as well as uncover new ways to enjoy and celebrate it. In fact, during 2012, over 52 billion pounds of meat was consumed in America, for an average of 270.7 pounds consumed per person. Compare that to the worldwide average of 102.5 pounds per person consumed yearly and it’s easy to see where America stacks up.

“Meat is a tradition for many people, as well as a great source of numerous vitamins, minerals, and protein,” says Ryan Fichter, Executive Chef at both the Bodega Spanish Tapas & Lounge and Thunder Burger & Bar. “People may want to expand their horizons this month to see what else is out there, beyond what they are used to eating.”

Bodega Spanish Tapas & Lounge now offers a brunch menu in addition to their regular lunch menu. The brunch is served every Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The menu features a variety of sweets, eggs, omelets, and more.

“Brunch is a special time of the day for many people,” says Ryan Fichter, Executive Chef of Bodega Spanish Tapas & Lounge. “Brunch is a great meal because you get so many good options to choose from, and you don’t have to get out of bed early to enjoy them before the breakfast menu is no longer available.”

Here are 5 reasons to make a point of going to brunch:

1. Power up to power shop. Those who will be engaged in heavy holiday shopping will need to fuel up in order to keep going. They can get all the energy they need by attending a brunch. Whether going before heading out to shop, or stopping in after they get that party started, the food will be ready and waiting.

You may not know what it’s called, but there’s no doubt that you have been exposed to it. You have probably even felt a little hungry after seeing it. You may have licked your lips and headed off to the kitchen or a restaurant for a taste of what you have seen. It may linger on your mind for days after, seducing you to stop in and give it a try. It’s called “food porn” and it’s increasingly becoming something that restaurants and food companies turn to in order to get your attention, get you salivating, and ultimately get you to buy.

“Food porn has a name just as interesting and exciting as the dishes it represents,” explains Ryan Fichter, Executive Chef of Thunder Burger and Bodega Spanish Tapas & Lounge, both located in the heart of Georgetown. “We are visual people and love to see pictures of great dishes. Like they say, a picture's worth a thousand words. One great food porn photo is all it takes.”